Steven Davies

English Cricketer Steven Davies is the first professional cricketer to come out as gay. "I was nervous about coming out. Who wouldn’t be? But it’s something I’ve lived with, for a long time."

Davies (born in 1986 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire) came out at age 24. He has played for England and the county team of Surrey as a stylish and aggressive left-handed wicket-keeper-batsman.
Davies came out to his family 5 years prior to his February, 2011, newspaper interview in which he made the reveal public. His teammates already knew he was gay and now hope that other gay players will have the courage to come out.

Steven received congratulations from present and former county and international team-mates and captains for becoming the first English cricketer to announce his homosexuality during his career.  Vikram Solanki, the chairman of the Professional Cricketers' Association who was Davies's captain for his five seasons at Worcestershire until the latter's move to Surrey last summer, added: "Steve has the full support of all his colleagues in cricket. Many of those he plays with and against have known about this for some time and none of them regards it as anything other than an entirely personal matter."

From India Ian Bell and coach Andy Flower spoke on behalf of the England squad. "We knew before the Ashes series," said Bell. "That didn't change anything for us. He is a very popular guy in our team. We're all with him, and the more cricket he can play for England the better. He is a good mate of mine and that doesn't change absolutely anything." Flower, the first person to whom Davies opened up ahead of the Ashes tour, added: "I would like to make it clear that Steve is first and foremost a very talented cricketer and a valued member of the England set-up. Steve has had and will continue to have the full support of English cricket.